Ninterview: Meet Trevor White - Voice Actor For Frank Honey

Last month, our Wii U consoles were graced with the latest addition to the LEGO video game franchise, LEGO City: Undercover. It brought numerous missions and a brick load of entertainment thanks to its selection of fun and witty characters.

One of these characters, in particular, seems to be the people's favourite, and we can see why. It's hard not to love Frank Honey; he's cuddlesome with endless charm, and has some of the most memorable lines in the game, with the result being gamers chuckling throughout the LEGO adventure.

But there's always a voice doing all the hard work, and Trevor White is that man for the lovable sidekick. We grabbed Trevor to chat about how he began his career in voice acting, his role as Frank Honey, and if Frank had a spin-off game, what would it be.

Nintendo Life: Welcome Trevor, thank you so much for agreeing to chat with us. Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

Trevor White: Where to begin? I suppose my birth. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada back in the wild 1970s. (Were they wild? I'm not sure. I was only young). I went to Queens University in Canada, majored in Economics, realized what a terrible bore that was, and started acting. I moved to London in 2001, and have been living here ever since.

NL: You've appeared in a number of TV series, such as Downton Abbey and Episodes, right up to getting a part as a Yuppie in the hit block-buster film The Dark Knight Rises. Tell us how you first began your career in voice acting.

TW: I started doing voice work back in Vancouver: commercials mainly, but also the odd video game or animated series. Over here in the UK the variety of voice work is amazing. I've been lucky enough to do dozens of video games, TV shows, animated series (the US version of Chuggington), audiobooks, and over 20 Radio Dramas for the BBC, including Moby Dick, Revolutionary Road and The Great Gatsby.

NL: We must say you did an incredible job voicing Frank, he's clearly a favourite amongst many who've played the game. Did you have to audition for your part as Frank in LEGO City: Undercover?

Every character and voice job is so different, I think you try to be inspired by the material, and whatever it is that you as a person and performer can bring to it.

TW: I think I did. It was honestly so long ago I can't remember! Sometimes you get offered the part having worked with the director or producers before, or sometimes you have to audition. One of the nice things about voice auditions, as compared to acting auditions, is that you don't have to memorize. Memorizing is really boring.

NL: Was there any room for improvisation at all with Frank's character, or was the game pretty tightly scripted?

TW: Tons. Having said that, I think the script is brilliant, and one of the best things about the game. It always helps hugely when you've got great writing, it's such a joy and so much fun to play with, and then if the director and writer are up for you to noodle around the words and improvise a bit, all the better. I had so much fun with Frank - he's probably the most fun character I've ever voiced.

NL: Did you work with any of the other voice actors directly, or was everything done in isolation? Do you feel that this affected your performance?

TW: It was always in isolation, but sometimes the studio will play in the other actors lines, for context and to help with continuity and performance.

NL: Who would you say are your inspirations as a voice actor? And for your portrayal of Frank Honey?

TW: Every character and voice job is so different, I think you try to be inspired by the material, and whatever it is that you as a person and performer can bring to it, rather than maybe being inspired by a specific individual, if that makes any sense! But I just loved Frank's heart, sincerity and simplicity. And the fact that he puts himself out there without shame or self-awareness. Like a big puppy, I suppose.

NL: Do you see much of yourself in Frank?

TW: People do describe me a as a bit of a puppy, now that I think of it. Not because of my appearance, I hope, but maybe more because I'm quite upbeat, energetic and outgoing, and probably more than a little bit naive.

The best sidekick you could ask for

NL: Hypothetically, Frank Honey gets his own spinoff game. What should the plot be?

TW: I think Frank would love to marry Ellie, and maybe do something really fun like be a Space Astronaut Police Chief on another, as of yet, undiscovered planet, where everyone thinks he's really clever and funny. That would be nice.

NL: Were you a LEGO fan growing up?

TW: Absolutely. And my 10 year old nephew lives for it. And it's cool how LEGO can now live in the virtual world as well.

NL: Would you consider yourself as a big video games fan? If not, what do you like to do outside of your hectic schedule?

TW: I do like video games, but I don't really play them that much, as I find the commitment to solving any one particular game can be huge. Like watching 7 seasons of The West Wing or something - that is a SERIOUS commitment! Truthfully, the franchise I like the best are the Resident Evil games. There's just something weirdly satisfying about shooting zombies, and getting scared running around in dark corridors infested with the walking dead. I can't explain it.

NL: Are you interested in doing any more game voice roles in future? Are you working on anything at the moment?

TW: I have just finished working on a few games, but because of non-disclosure agreements, I'm not allowed to say which ones until they're released. But weirdly I have been doing a lot of Russian characters lately, which has been fun, and even a Dutch one. That's the beauty of voice work, you just never quite know what's going to be next!

NL: We appreciate your time for the interview Trevor, all the best for the future from all the team at Nintendo Life!

Does anybody know if the parts for a Frank minifigure do exist ? The uniform is a standart police figure, the head should also be pretty easy to find (normal face, red / brown eyebrows) But for the life of me, i cant find the hair piece. Since there is only one official LCU Lego Kit featuring McKain, im curious if it would be possible to build Frank Honey on my own

@EinherjarFrank Honey minifigure is a great idea. We have two Chase McCains but no Frank Honey. Making one would be cool, but LEGO needs to release the brand new Special Police Truck vehicle with Frank Honey, Chase McCain in his plain clothes, and a couple of Chan's henchmen right away!

Awesome game! Haven't really heared the guy yet though (except on videos), because i decided to play the game first with German vocals, then in English and last in Spanish, for "educational reasons" Love it that that's all spoken language in the game!!!

@aaronsullivan That would be really neat And also, a great promotion for both. LEGO Kits and the game itself. Lego Fans will get interested in the game, and the fans of the game can get their "heroes" as minifigures.

@dudey300 Sure, if i find all the neccessary parts, i can send the part numbers (every part has a specific number and i think you can order them seperatly or look the kits up, that contain said piece) via PM or make a forum post for every Frank Honey fan out there

@aaronsullivan I got the set yesterday and build it today. It looks awesome on my shelf, in front of the games "limited edition" box The cars are really really solid. LEGO sure has gone a long way since i last bought a kit many years ago

I think Frank would love to marry Ellie, and maybe do something really fun like be a Space Astronaut Police Chief on another, as of yet, undiscovered planet, where everyone thinks he's really clever and funny.

@dudey300 Sadly, the "Brickipedia" (í love that name ) states, that no official Minifigure exists. Like i said, the body is a standard police piece, one from pretty old "City" Kits too (The one chase has, the blue one, is the new police body piece). For the head, you can basicly pick whichever has the matching brow color. But i fear that his hair piece is unique and exclusive to the game, which would be a real shame. Chase has a unique color, but the style itself is a standart piece in the new "City" kit line.I guess we need to start a massive mailing campagne towards lego to make an actual, official Frank minifigure (Maybe even a honey hotel kit)

I love these interviews. I took the game to a friend's home yesterday, as he was interested in buying it, and he sure had a hard time putting the controller down when I had to leave. Did not lend it to him since I preferred he went ahead and supported this great game with his money.

These interviews are great! They really give you a good idea how the character's personalities came to be. After the amount of videos I have seen on this game, I am pretty eager to explore this game's world once I finally buy a Wii U.

I haven't laughed at a game as much as I laughed during Lego City, thanks largely to Frank Honey!"ooohhh the Chief's not gonna like that!" (Honey)"what if the chief didn't have to know?" (Chase)"ummm....I"ll ask him!!" (Honey)hahahahahaha!!! love it!